Motorized mechanism and motorized furniture

ABSTRACT

A motorized furniture and a motorized mechanism are provided. The motorized furniture includes a furniture frame and a platform supported on the furniture frame. The platform includes a backrest rotatable relative to the furniture frame. The backrest includes a first backrest section, a second backrest section, and an actuator. The second backrest section is rotatably connected with the first backrest section. The actuator is mounted to the backrest and configured to drive the first backrest section and the second backrest section to rotate relative to each other to thereby form a convex upwards fold.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a motorized mechanism and, more particularly, to a motorized mechanism which can support a user's body or another object with an indent part and a motorized furniture using the motorized mechanism.

BACKGROUND

A typical motorized bed consists of a platform made of sections which are linked together by hinges. A most single design would consist of a large fixed section and a backrest, only. The platform may also include a legrest hinged to the fixed section and a footrest hinged to the legrest. Actuators such as electrical motors are used to adjust the backrest and/or the legrest to accomplish a more comfortable positioning.

It is the nature of the human spine to be S-shaped. The indents are called lordosis. There are two lordosis regions, in the neck (cervical spine) and at the bottom of the back (lumbar spine). When a user lies flat on the back (or sits in a chair), those regions do not get much support from the mattress and therefore cannot relax. Various solutions have been developed to support the neck region, lordosis region or other parts of the body that need to be supported. For the neck area, a normal pillow would typically fill the indent to provide support. For the lumbar area, other solutions have been developed in the past. There solutions range from simple accessories such as specially formed pillows and belts to mechanical solutions integrated into the furniture. In one example, the motorized bed includes a lumbar support bar going across the backrest which can be extended by motor to push up the mattress on the top to fill the lordosis in the lumbar area. However, such solutions require extra hardware to be installed and a motor to drive it. The extra hardware translates to increased weight and cost.

What is needed, therefore, is a new motorized mechanism with reduced weight and cost, which can provide support for an indent part of the body such as, but not limited to, the neck region or lordosis region, or for an indent part of another object.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a motorized mechanism which can provide support for an indent part of the user's body or an indent part of another object.

The present invention is also directed to a motorized bed that uses the above motorized mechanism.

In one aspect, a motorized furniture is provided which generally includes a furniture frame and a platform supported on the furniture frame. The platform includes a backrest rotatable relative to the furniture frame. The backrest includes a first backrest section, a second backrest section, and an actuator. The second backrest section is rotatably connected with the first backrest section. The actuator is mounted to the backrest and configured to drive the first backrest section and the second backrest section to rotate relative to each other to thereby form a convex upwards fold.

In one embodiment, wherein the actuator has two opposite ends, one of which is pivotally connected to the first backrest section and the other pivotally connected to the second backrest section.

In one embodiment, the actuator is at its greatest length when the first backrest section is coplanar with the second backrest section.

In one embodiment, the actuator is a linear motor comprising a motor body with a telescopic rod, the motor body of the linear motor is pivotably connected to one of the first and second backrest sections, and the rod of the linear motor is pivotably connected to the other of the first and second backrest sections.

In one embodiment, the motorized bed comprises a second linear motor, the second linear motor comprises a motor body with a telescopic rod, the motor body of the second linear motor is pivotably connected to one of the second backrest section and the furniture frame, and the rod of the second linear motor is pivotably connected to the other of the second backrest section and the furniture frame.

In one embodiment, the first backrest section and the second backrest sections are rotatably connected to each other with a hinge.

In one embodiment, the platform comprises a fixed section fixed on the furniture frame, and the fixed section is located immediately adjacent the first backrest section.

In one embodiment, the motorized furniture is a motorized bed, and the furniture frame is a bed frame.

In one embodiment, the platform defines a foot end and an opposite head end along a longitudinal axis of the platform, the first backrest section is closer to the foot end of the platform than the second backrest section along the longitudinal axis, and the second backrest section is greater than the first backrest section in length along the longitudinal axis.

In another aspect, a motorized mechanism is provided, which includes a platform defining a longitudinal axis. The platform includes a fixed section, a first rotatable section and a second rotatable section. The first rotatable section is rotatable relative to the fixed section. The first rotatable section has a first end and an opposite second end along the longitudinal axis, the first end adjacent the fixed section. The second rotatable section is rotatably connected with the first rotatable section. The second rotatable section has a third end and an opposite fourth end along the longitudinal axis, the third end adjacent the second end of the first rotatable section. A first actuator is connected and configured to drive the first rotatable section and the second rotatable section to rotate relative to each other to form a convex support surface. A second actuator is connected and configured to drive the first rotatable section and the second rotatable section as a whole to rotate relative to the fixed section.

In one embodiment, the first rotatable section has a first length along the longitudinal axis, the second rotatable section has a second length along the longitudinal axis, and the first length is less than the second length.

In one embodiment, the second rotatable section and the first rotatable section are rotatably connected to each other with a hinge.

In one embodiment, the first actuator is a first linear motor having two opposite ends, one of which is pivotally connected to the first rotatable section, and the other pivotally connected to the second rotatable section.

In one embodiment, the first linear motor is at its greatest length when the first rotatable section is coplanar with the second rotatable section.

In one embodiment, the second actuator is a second linear motor connected to an underside of the second rotatable portion.

In view of the foregoing, the mechanism provides a convex upwards fold or convex supporting surface. When used in a motorized furniture, this convex upwards fold can be used as a lumbar support or for other purposes. The lumbar support or convex upwards fold for other purposes is implemented into the backrest without additional hardware, just a split backrest is needed plus the extra actuator to drive it. This reduces the weight as well as cost of the motorized mechanism or the motorized furniture.

Other independent aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description, claims and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a motorized mechanism embodying the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the motorized mechanism of FIG. 1 with parts of the motorized mechanism positioned at one angle.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the motorized mechanism of FIG. 1, with parts of the motorized mechanism positioned at another angle.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a motorized bed according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the motorized bed of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a bottom, perspective view of a portion of the motorized bed of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the motorized bed of FIG. 4, with the backrest section forming a raised support.

FIG. 8 to FIG. 10 are similar to FIG. 7, but with the backrest section positioned at different angles.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the motorized bed of FIG. 4, with the backrest section being flat and positioned at one angle.

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11, but with the backrest section positioned at a different angle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Before any independent embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other independent embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Use of “consisting of” and variations thereof as used herein is meant to encompass only the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof. Further, it is to be understood that such terms as “forward”, “rearward”, “left”, “right”, “upward” and “downward”, etc., are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a motorized mechanism embodying the principle of the present invention. The motorized mechanism includes a platform defining a longitudinal axis X. The platform includes a fixed section 10, a first rotatable section 12, and a second rotatable section 14 arranged along the longitudinal axis X. The first rotatable section 12 is rotatable relative to the fixed section 10. To allow for the rotation of the first rotatable section 12, the first rotatable section 12 is connected by a hinge 16 to the fixed section 10 or to another structure that is firmly connected with the fixed section 10. The first rotatable section 12 has a first end 18 and an opposite second end 20 along the longitudinal axis X, with the first end 18 adjacent the fixed section 10. The second rotatable section 14 is rotatably connected with the first rotatable section 12 by a hinge 22. The second rotatable section 14 has a third end 24 and an opposite fourth end 26 along the longitudinal axis X, with the third end 24 adjacent the second end 20 of the first rotatable section 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first rotatable section 12 and the second rotatable section 14 can as a whole rotate relative to the fixed section 10. In addition, referring to FIG. 3, the first rotatable section 12 and the second rotatable section 14 can also rotate relative to each other to form a convex upwards fold 28 at a joining area between the first rotatable section 12 and the second rotatable section 14. To achieve such rotation movements, actuators such as motors can be connected to the motorized mechanism. For example, a first actuator is used to drive the first rotatable section 12 and the second rotatable section 14 to form the convex upwards fold, and a second actuator is used to drive the first rotatable section 12 and the second rotatable section 14 as a whole to rotate relative to the fixed section 10.

Such a motorized mechanism can be advantageously used in motorized furniture such as a motorized bed or motorized chair. Below, the present invention will be described in greater detail in connection with a motorized bed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be equally applied to another type of furniture having a similar rotatable part, such as, a motorized chair or the like, upon reading the teachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 4 to FIG. 12 illustrate an exemplary motorized furniture according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, the motorized furniture is illustrated as a motorized bed.

Referring to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the motorized bed generally includes a bed frame 30 and a platform 32 supported on the bed frame 30. The bed frame 30 may include support legs (not shown) for supporting the bed frame 30 on a surface such as a floor. The platform 32 defines a head end and an opposite foot end along a longitudinal axis X thereof. The platform 32 includes a backrest 34 close to the head end of the platform 32 for supporting the back of a user lying on the bed. The backrest 34 is rotatable relative to the bed frame 30 for adjusting the backrest angle. Typically, there is a mattress (not shown) placed on the platform 32.

As shown, the backrest 34 is split into a first backrest section 36 and a second backrest section 38 along the longitudinal axis X of the platform 32. The second backrest section 38 is rotatably connected with the first backrest section 36 at a split area therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the first backrest section 36 and the second backrest section 38 are connected with one or more hinges 40. Although the hinges 40 are located at lateral outer sides of the split area in the illustrated embodiment, the hinges 40 may also be located at a central area of the backrest 34. When the backrest 34 rotates up, the second backrest section 38 is disposed above the first backrest section 36. Therefore, in this disclosure, sometimes the second backrest section 38 is termed as an upper backrest section 38, and the first backrest section 36 is termed as a lower backrest section 36.

The first backrest section 36 has a first end 42 and an opposite second end 44 along the longitudinal axis X. The second backrest section 38 has a third end 46 and an opposite fourth end 48 along the longitudinal axis X. The first end 42 of the first backrest section 36 is connected to a pivot point so as to allow for the pivot motion of the backrest 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot point is on the bed frame 30. In some other embodiments, the pivot point may be on another structure that is firmly mounted with the bed frame 30, such as on a fixed section of the platform 32 which will be described later. The second end 44 of the first backrest section 36 and the third end 46 of the second backrest section 38 are located at the split area adjacent each other.

Referring also to FIG. 7, a first actuator 50 is mounted to the backrest 34 and configured to drive the first backrest section 36 and the second backrest section 38 to rotate relative to each other to thereby form a convex upwards fold 52. Specifically, the first actuator 50 has two opposite ends. One end of the first actuator 50 is pivotally connected to the first backrest section 36, and the other end pivotally connected to the second backrest section 38. More specifically, the other end of the first actuator 50 is connected to a longitudinal bar 51 of the second backrest section 38, and a pivot point of the first actuator 50 on the first backrest section 36 is closer to the split area than a pivot point of the first actuator 50 on the second backrest section 38. It should be understood that the other end of the first actuator 50 can be pivotably connected to any suitable part of the second backrest section 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the first actuator 50 is a first linear motor including a motor body 54 and a telescopic rod 56, the motor body 54 of the first linear motor is pivotably connected to the second backrest section 38, and the rod 56 of the first linear motor is pivotably connected to the first backrest section 36.

The first linear motor 50 is at its greatest length when the first backrest section 36 is coplanar with the second backrest section 38. When the first linear motor 50 is activated, it starts contracting thus shortening the length of the motor 50. This forces the first backrest section 36 and the second backrest section 38 to fold upwards and build an angle with each other. As such, the first backrest section 36 and the second backrest section 38 form a triangle with a base line 58 of the entire backrest 34. The convex upwards fold 52 has a convex supporting surface which can provide a lumbar support. The mattress (not shown) supported on the platform 30 is forced to bend over the resulting convex fold 52 thus providing the lumbar support. By operating the first linear motor 50, the angle between the first backrest section 36 and the second backrest section 38 and hence the height H of the convex upwards fold 52 can be adjusted.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first linear motor 50 is a pull motor. In another embodiment, the first linear motor 50 may also be a push motor. In another embodiment, the mounting direction of the motor 50 may be changed depending upon actual design requirements, i.e. the motor body 54 may be connected to the first backrest section 36, and the rod 56 may be connected to the second backrest section 38.

The first backrest section 36 has a first length along the longitudinal axis X of the platform 30, and the second backrest section 38 has a second length along the longitudinal axis X. In the illustrated embodiment, the first length is less than the second length. Specifically, a ratio of the first length to the second length is about 1:2. It should be understood, however, that the first length can be designed to be less than, equal to or greater than the second length in other embodiments.

While the convex upwards fold 52 is described to provide a lumbar support in the embodiment above, it should be understood that the convex upwards fold 52 can be used for another purpose in another embodiment. Therefore, the lumbar support function of the convex upwards support 52 is illustrative rather than limiting.

A second actuator 60 is connected and configured to drive the first backrest section 36 and the second backrest section 38 as a whole to rotate relative to the bed frame 30. Specifically, the second actuator 60 is a second linear motor including a motor body 62 and a telescopic rod 64. The motor body 62 of the second linear motor is pivotably connected to the second backrest section 38, and the rod 64 of the second linear motor is pivotably connected to the first backrest section 36. In the exemplary embodiment, the motor body 62 is pivotably connected to a cross bar 63 of the second backrest section 38 that is perpendicularly connected with the longitudinal bar 51. It should be understood that the motor body 62 can be pivotably connected to any suitable part of the second backrest section. In this embodiment, the second linear motor 60 is a push motor which, upon activated, rotates the entire backrest 34 up. In another embodiment, the second linear motor 60 may also be a pull motor. In another embodiment, the mounting direction of the motor may be changed depending upon actual design requirements, i.e. the motor body 62 may be connected to the first backrest section 36, and the rod 64 may be connected to the second backrest section 38.

In the illustrated embodiment, the platform 32 further includes a fixed section 64 firmly mounted to the bed frame 30. The first end 42 of the first backrest section 36 is immediately adjacent the fixed section 64 of the platform 32, so the first backrest section 36 is closer to the fixed section 64 than the second backrest section 38. Since the fixed section 64 is firmly mounted to the bed frame 30, the backrest 34 is also rotatable relative to the fixed section 64. The platform 32 may further include a legrest 68 rotatably connected with the fixed section 64, and a footrest 70 rotatably mounted with the legrest 68. The backrest 34, the fixed section 64, the legrest 68 and the footrest 70 are arranged along the longitudinal axis X of the platform 32. In this case, an additional actuator can be used to adjust the legrest 68 to accomplish a more comfortable positioning. In some other embodiments, however, the platform 32 may consist of a large fixed section reaching to a foot end of the platform and a backrest only.

In operation, the first actuator 50 and the second actuator 60 can be selectively operated to achieve various supporting angles of the backrest 34 and various heights of the convex upwards support 52 relative to the base line 58 of the entire backrest 34. FIG. 8 to FIG. 10 illustrate various exemplary positioning of the backrest 34 when operating both of the first and second actuators 50, 60. In FIG. 8, the backrest 34 rotates up so that the lower backrest section 36 is positioned at 35 degrees relative to the bed frame 30, with the backrest 34 raising to a certain height at the convex upwards fold 52. In FIG. 9, by operating the second actuator 60, the backrest 34 rotates further up so that the lower backrest section 36 is positioned at 50 degrees relative to the bed frame 30, with the height of the convex upwards fold 52 remains unchanged, i.e. operating the second actuator 60 does not change the angle formed between the upper backrest section 38 and the lower backrest section 36 or the height of the convex upwards fold 52. In FIG. 10, by further operating the second actuator 60, the backrest 34 rotates further up so that the lower backrest section 36 is positioned at 70 degrees relative to the bed frame 30, with the height of the convex upwards fold 52 still remains unchanged. It should be understood that the first backrest section 36 can be positioned at any suitable angle and the backrest 34 can raise to any suitable height by operating the first actuator 50 and the second actuator 60.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 illustrate various positioning of the backrest 34 when operating only the second actuator 60. In these cases, the first actuator 50 is at its greatest length, so that the upper backrest section 38 and the lower backrest section 36 are coplanar with each other, i.e. no convex supporting surface is formed. The backrest 34 can be operated like any normal backrest, i.e. a backrest without being split into multiple sections. Specifically, in FIG. 11, the backrest 34 is rotated up to 35 degrees, with the upper backrest section 38 and the lower backrest section 36 being coplanar with each other. In FIG. 12, the backrest 34 is rotated further up to 70 degrees, with the upper backrest section 38 and the lower backrest section 36 being coplanar with each other. It should be also understood that the backrest 34 can be positioned at any suitable angle by operating the second actuator 60.

In the embodiment described above, a convex supporting surface is formed by the backrest, which can be used as a lumbar support or for other purposes. The lumbar support or convex upwards fold for other purposes is implemented into the backrest without additional hardware, just a split backrest is needed plus the extra actuator to drive it. This reduces the weight as well as cost of the motorized mechanism or the motorized furniture.

The motorized mechanism has been described above in relation to a motorized furniture for supporting a user's body. People skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the motorized mechanism of the present invention can be equally applicable to support another object with an indent part. The motorized mechanism provides support for the indent part of the user's body or the indent part of the another object by folding up the platform itself to form a raised support.

In the embodiment described above, the backrest is split into the first and second backrest sections to form only one raised support. It should be understood that the backrest can be split to have more than two rotatable sections to form more raised supports or a combination of the raised support and recessed support. The recessed support can be used to support a raised part of the user's body or a raised part of another object to be supported.

Although the invention is described with reference to one or more embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed structure without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A motorized furniture comprising: a furniture frame; and a platform supported on the furniture frame, the platform comprising a backrest rotatable relative to the furniture frame, the backrest comprising: a first backrest section; a second backrest section rotatably connected with the first backrest section; and an actuator mounted to the backrest and configured to drive the first backrest section and the second backrest section to rotate relative to each other to thereby form a convex upwards fold.
 2. The motorized furniture of claim 1, wherein the actuator has two opposite ends, one of which is pivotally connected to the first backrest section and the other pivotally connected to the second backrest section.
 3. The motorized furniture of claim 2, wherein the actuator is at its greatest length when the first backrest section is coplanar with the second backrest section.
 4. The motorized furniture of claim 2, wherein the actuator is a linear motor comprising a motor body with a telescopic rod, the motor body of the linear motor is pivotably connected to one of the first and second backrest sections, and the rod of the linear motor is pivotably connected to the other of the first and second backrest sections.
 5. The motorized furniture of claim 4, wherein the motorized furniture comprises a second linear motor, the second linear motor comprises a motor body with a telescopic rod, the motor body of the second linear motor is pivotably connected to one of the second backrest section and the furniture frame, and the rod of the second linear motor is pivotably connected to the other of the second backrest section and the furniture frame.
 6. The motorized furniture of claim 1, wherein the first backrest section and the second backrest sections are rotatably connected to each other with a hinge.
 7. The motorized furniture of claim 1, wherein the platform comprises a fixed section fixed relative to the furniture frame, and the fixed section is located immediately adjacent the first backrest section.
 8. The motorized furniture of claim 1, wherein the motorized furniture is a motorized bed, and the furniture frame is a bed frame.
 9. The motorized furniture of claim 8, wherein the platform defines a foot end and an opposite head end along a longitudinal axis of the platform, the first backrest section is closer to the foot end of the platform than the second backrest section along the longitudinal axis, and the second backrest section is greater than the first backrest section in length along the longitudinal axis.
 10. A motorized mechanism comprising: a platform defining a longitudinal axis, the platform comprising: a fixed section; a first rotatable section rotatable relative to the fixed section, the first rotatable section having a first end and an opposite second end along the longitudinal axis, the first end adjacent the fixed section; and a second rotatable section rotatably connected with the first rotatable section, the second rotatable section having a third end and an opposite fourth end along the longitudinal axis, the third end adjacent the second end of the first rotatable section; a first actuator connected and configured to drive the first rotatable section and the second rotatable section to rotate relative to each other to form a convex support surface; and a second actuator connected and configured to drive the first rotatable section and the second rotatable section as a whole to rotate relative to the fixed section.
 11. The motorized mechanism of claim 10, wherein the first rotatable section has a first length along the longitudinal axis, the second rotatable section has a second length along the longitudinal axis, and the first length is less than the second length.
 12. The motorized mechanism of claim 10, wherein the second rotatable section and the first rotatable section are rotatably connected to each other with a hinge
 13. The motorized mechanism of claim 10, wherein the first actuator is a first linear motor having two opposite ends, one of which is pivotally connected to the first rotatable section, and the other pivotally connected to the second rotatable section.
 14. The motorized mechanism of claim 13, wherein the first linear motor is at its greatest length when the first rotatable section is coplanar with the second rotatable section.
 15. The motorized mechanism of claim 13, wherein the second actuator is a second linear motor connected to an underside of the second rotatable portion.
 16. The motorized furniture of claim 2, wherein the motorized furniture is a motorized bed, and the furniture frame is a bed frame.
 17. The motorized furniture of claim 3, wherein the motorized furniture is a motorized bed, and the furniture frame is a bed frame.
 18. The motorized furniture of claim 4, wherein the motorized furniture is a motorized bed, and the furniture frame is a bed frame.
 19. The motorized furniture of claim 5, wherein the motorized furniture is a motorized bed, and the furniture frame is a bed frame.
 20. The motorized furniture of claim 7, wherein the motorized furniture is a motorized bed, and the furniture frame is a bed frame. 